Implanted electrodes control and monitor moth flight

Researchers have developed methods for electronically manipulating the flight muscles of moths and for monitoring the electrical signals moths use to control those muscles.

The work from North Carolina State University could lead to the development of remotely controlled moths, or so-called biobots, for use in emergency response scenarios.

‘In the big picture, we want to know whether we can control the movement of moths for use in applications such as search and rescue operations,’ said Dr. Alper Bozkurt, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at NC State and co-author of a paper on the work. ‘The idea would be to attach sensors to moths in order to create a flexible, aerial sensor network that can identify survivors or public health hazards in the wake of a disaster.’

According to NCSU, the paper presents a technique Bozkurt developed for attaching electrodes to a moth during its pupal stage, when the caterpillar is in a cocoon undergoing metamorphosis into its winged adult stage. This aspect of the work was done in conjunction with Dr. Amit Lal of Cornell University.

The new findings in the paper involve methods developed by Bozkurt’s research team for improving the understanding of precisely how a moth coordinates its muscles during flight.

By attaching electrodes to the muscle groups responsible for a moth’s flight, Bozkurt’s team is reportedly able to monitor electromyographic signals, namely the electric signals the moth uses during flight to tell those muscles what to do.

The moth is connected to a wireless platform that collects the electromyographic data as the moth moves its wings. To give the moth freedom to turn left and right, the entire platform levitates, suspended in mid-air by electromagnets.

‘By watching how the moth uses its wings to steer while in flight, and matching those movements with their corresponding electromyographic signals, we’re getting a much better understanding of how moths manoeuvre through the air,’ Bozkurt said in a statement.

‘We’re optimistic that this information will help us develop technologies to remotely control the movements of moths in flight,’ Bozkurt said. ‘That’s essential to the overarching goal of creating biobots that can be part of a cyberphysical sensor network.’

Bozkurt stressed that there is more work to be done to make moth biobots a viable tool.

‘We now have a platform for collecting data about flight coordination,’ Bozkurt said. ‘Next steps include developing an automated system to explore and fine-tune parameters for controlling moth flight, further miniaturising the technology, and testing the technology in free-flying moths.’